A preview from RNZ highlights a lineup of fresh television series set to premiere in 2026, focusing on original content beyond returning favorites. These shows span genres from crime thrillers to animated comedies and dystopian dramas. Viewers can anticipate releases on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video starting in January.
Television enthusiasts have much to anticipate in 2026, as RNZ outlines a selection of brand-new series that promise innovative storytelling and star power. Unlike anticipated returns of hits such as Bridgerton or Euphoria, this list spotlights lesser-known debuts designed to capture attention.
Kicking off the year on Netflix is "Agatha Christie's Seven Dials," a lavish adaptation of the classic crime novel starring Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. Set at a countryside house party disrupted by murder, the series is described as witty, epic, and fast-paced, inviting viewers to unravel the mystery alongside the suspects. It arrives on January 15.
Disney+ follows with "The Beauty" on January 22, a body-horror thriller from producer Ryan Murphy. The plot centers on FBI agents probing a virus killing supermodels, leading to confrontations with a tech billionaire played by Ashton Kutcher and his assassin.
Animated fare includes Ricky Gervais's "Alley Cats" on Netflix, inspired by stray cat adventures with heart and social commentary, though its release date remains to be confirmed (TBC).
Sci-fi fans will note "Blade Runner 2099" on Prime Video, featuring Michelle Yeoh as a replicant nearing the end of her life, set 50 years after the 2017 film sequel. Similarly, "Spider-Noir" brings Nicholas Cage as a 1930s private investigator blending detective drama and superhero action, also on Prime Video (TBC).
Local New Zealand productions shine too, such as "Crackhead" on ThreeNow, a dark comedy starring Holly Shervey as a woman in rehab addressing mental health and addiction (TBC). Josh Thomson leads "Good Bones" on Neon, a satirical horror about a DIY renovation uncovering a crime scene (TBC).
Other highlights include "Scarpetta" on Prime Video with Nicole Kidman as forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta investigating murders, joined by Jamie Lee Curtis, premiering March 11; "Small Town Scandal" on Sky Comedy and Neon, an eight-part comedy based on Tom Sainsbury's podcast, starring Morgana O'Reilly and Rose Matafeo, on February 9; and "The Testaments" on Disney+ in April, a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale following young women resisting Gilead's regime.
Additional series like "Lord of the Flies," a faithful four-part adaptation by Jack Thorne on TVNZ+ (TBC); "The Miniature Wife," a surreal rom-com with Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen; and "Ms. X," an action-dramedy led by Melissa George as a Kiwi mother entangled in crime, round out the diverse slate. These productions aim to blend entertainment with serious themes, offering fresh narratives for global audiences.
